HARRYKane became the first Englishman in 25 years to win the Ballond’Or thanks to his prolific scoring last season. Kane scored 73 goals for club and countrylast campaign - he was Europe’s top scorer -and smashed scoring records in GermanyforBayernMunichand at theWorldCup, where he captained England to athird-place finish. The 33-year-old Kane says winning theprestigious individual awardwas built on so much more. “Anythingispossiblewithhard work,whennooneelseiswatching, to go through the ups and downs, to learnthrough resilience,determination and self-belief,” an emotional Kane saidinamessage toyoung players,after reflecting on his early career struggles. “Myjourney wasn’t straightforward. Iwasn’t the kid who went straight to the top.Ihad to experience the downs,” he added. “I had to fightmyway to be theverybestrightnow.Ihope that can giveyou inspiration as well.” Kane was followed in the voting by Kylian Mbappe,Lamine Yamal-votedbest young talent for athirdstraight year -2024 winner Rodriand recordeighttime winner Lionel Messi. Kane thankedhis team-mates, coaches,parents,children-“It’s past your bedtime”-and wife Kate,“ my best friend.We’ve been through ups anddowns for sure. You’re my biggestsupporter.You always want thebest for me.” Kane led Bayern to the Bundesliga and German Cup double,scoring ahat-trick againstStuttgartin thecup final. Bayern also reached the ChampionsLeague semi-finals.

 

At the World Cup, he scored six times to pass Gary Lineker as England’s all-timeleading World Cupscorer and placed himself among the all-time top five in tournament history. Hisline-up lost to Argentina in the semi-finals but beat Mbappe’sFrance forthirdplace, England’s best World Cupplacing in 60 years. An Englishman hadn’twon the Ballon d’Or since Michael Owen in 2001. PUTELLAS’ HAT-TRICK OF AWARDS EARLIER, Spain star Alexia Putellas won her record-equaling thirdwomen’s Ballon d’Or after leading her former club Barcelona to multiple trophies last season including the Women’s Champions League. Putellas,who joined London City Lionesses in the offseason, also helped Spain win the Women’s Nations Leaguelast December. The 32-year-oldmidfielder ended Spain team-mate Aitana Bonmati’sthree-year reign. Putellas won the prestigious awardin 2021 and 2022, toreher ACLand saw Bonmatirise to stardom. Bonmati, who completed her women’s Ballon d’Or three-peatin 2025, was not on this year’s shortlistafter breaking her leg in December. Therewasn’tawomen’sBallon d’Or until 2018, when Ada Hegerbergwon it. Putellas urged young players to approach the sportwith“love and passion.” “Believe in yourself, that’s the mostimportant thing,”shesaid. “Ifyou haveadream, go for it, even if at some point youhave to startfromzero.”